Leaflet – January 1, 2020

May the NEW YEAR bring many opportunities to explore every joy of life, and to turn all your dreams into reality & all your efforts into great achievements!

Rodeo Volunteer Signup is LIVE!
Please Signup to Help with a Shift or Two!

BCMG January Rodeo Kick-Off Meeting
Thursday, January 16, 2020

Bring your favorite Chili, Cornbread, or other dish to share! And don’t forget your calendar to sign-up for Rodeo Shifts. Learn all about the BCMG location, greatest news on 2020 Rodeo, the 2020 Rodeo Tomato, and much more! 1 CEU.  BCMG Code: 002.
Remember you can pick up your new logo name tags, and any merchandise that you ordered online before December 15 at this meeting!

Meeting Agenda:
6:00-6:40:  Chili Dinner, Rodeo Shift sign-ups, New Badge & Merchandise pick-up
6:40-7:40:  BCMG Business Meeting & Rodeo Information
7:30-8:00:  Rodeo Chairs – Introduction & Announcements
*You can also pay your annual dues of $25 (payable by Dec 31st) before the late fee ($40 total) begins Feb. 1.

The SA Stock Show & Rodeo will take place Feb 6-23, 2020. MGs must have 3 forms signed: a Release and Indemnification form, a Peterson Brother’s Release (for parking) and a Van Release (for riding the shuttle van). All forms will be available at the office and can be turned into Mike, BCMG Office Manager. Deadline is January 16, 2020.  Notarization is not needed this year!  Or mailed to: ATTN: Rodeo Form, Bexar County Master Gardeners, 3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208, San Antonio, TX 78230

BCMGs:  Check the 2020 Rodeo page under the Members tab on the BCMG website for all the BCMG Rodeo information and updates.  For more information, email BCMG Rodeo Chair, Grace Emery.

Calling All Rodeo Construction Workers!
It’s time to get organized!  Please email Grace Emery your name, email address and cell phone number.  We plan to use emails or text messages to communicate the work agenda for each construction day.  Appreciate you volunteering now to be a member of the 2020 Rodeo Construction Team.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Watch your inbox today for announcement of the first issue of the Scion Newsletter for 2020!

On Sat, Jan 11, 10-11:30am,  David Rodriguez will discuss basic steps of selecting appropriate fruit trees for your landscape, how to properly plant them, how to train and manage these trees as well as harvesting and general overall maintenance. Whether you want to plant your fruit trees in containers for your patio or establish an attractive back-yard orchard this seminar will get you on track for success with your fruit trees. This Earth-Kind Seminar is FREE at Milberger’s Landscape Nursery, 3920 North Loop 1604, 78247. 1.5 CEUs; Code 001.

January Training Session set for new Docents at the Culinary Garden on Wed, January 15 from 10am to 12pm (with three hours of homework). Please sign up on VMS. For information please contact Grace Emery. 5 CEUs. Code 001. 

2020 CASHIER TRAINING
All MGs who plan to work any BCMG event as a cashier during 2020 should plan to attend one of the two scheduled Cashier Training sessions:  Fri, Jan 24 or Sat, Jan 25; 1:30-3pm each day at the Extension Office in the Large Classroom. Please sign up on VMS even if you have already let Lynn know verbally or by e-mail.  VMS Code 400; 1.5 Hrs.For questions or more information, email President Lynn Cox.

Registration OPEN for the Spring 2020 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. 
 Program will take place on Saturday mornings from 9am to Noon beginning February 22 through June 6.  Share with family & friends!

NOW LIVE!!  Throughout 2020, our new BCMG YouTube Channel will include BCMG Brown Bag presentations and speakers from our general meetings.  In January, the BCMG YouTube channel will present Jay White, owner/editor of the Texas Gardener magazine. Jay will share his love for organic gardening, along with some great stories and trivia about gardening.

NOTE:  The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office and BCMG offices will be closed TODAY, Wednesday, January 1st, for the New Year’s Day holiday.


Formerly known as Birdies for Charity®, Champions fore Charity is a fundraising program that provides participating charities and schools the opportunity to generate contributions through the Valero Texas Open. Champions fore Charity is a no-cost program that gives 100% of the funds raised back to the participating organizations, plus incentives including a 7% match.

Our Bexar County Master Gardeners have been a part of the Valero Texas Open Birdies for Charity® fundraising program for many years and the funds we have received have been used to support our projects and purchase needed materials. Your previous donations are truly appreciated and future donations will help support our mission.

You can also donate online. Donors have the ability to select a charity and flexibility to pay in advance, or to be billed after the tournament.

Email Barbara Lutz if you have questions about the Champions fore Charity program.

Details on the First Six BROWN BAG Presentations!

The Brown Bag 2020 series begins Fri, Jan 10 at 12pm with Karen Gardner. Come hear how Karen prepares her own planting medium, sows her vegetable seeds indoors—under light––before putting them in the garden outside. Karen is an amazing vegetable gardener and has Advanced Training in vegetables.
February means 3 things: it’s cold, it’s Rodeo, and it’s time to plan the spring garden. Come hear Lynn Cox on Fri, Feb 14 at Noon, as she gives her incredible presentation on Texas SuperStars. Lynn is the President of the BCMG and a two-time State Winner of the Texas Master Gardener Association’s MG of the Year.  
Daylight Savings Time is coming to an end in March and it’s time to put our gardening hopes and dreams into action. On Fri, Mar 13, MG Bill Swantner will help us think through the right plants––the, right soil and  the right location. Bill is certified in Earth-Kind Advanced Training. 
In April, it’s time to get those plants in the soil, but what if the soil is too thin? On Fri. Apr 3, Liz & Nick Campenella will show us how to build a container garden: the wood to select, how to install an irrigation system, and the soil to use.
In May, the flowers are blooming, the vegetables are growing and…the insects would destroy our hard work. However, not all insects are bad. Entomologist Molly Keck, will be our guest speaker on Fri, May 8 at Noon. Come hear from one of the best on what to look for and how to deal with it.
It’s officially summer in June, and it’s going to get drier––which puts our plantings under a lot of stress. On Fri, Jun 12, at Noon, MG John Vann, who has received Advanced Training in irrigation, will help us understand the beauty and the simplicity of Drip Irrigation.
On Fri, Jul 10 at Noon, Bexar County Extension Agent David Rodriguez will explain the world of fascinating pollinators: BEES.

Save those dates and don’t forget to bring your Brown Bag Lunch and Learn a Lot! To see the complete Flyer,  click here!

BCMG Reporting Guidelines for Volunteer Hours (VHs) and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Reporting our hours is important for two reasons:

  • Annual Certification – BCMGs must volunteer 30 hours (VH), receive 6 hours of continuing education (CEUs), and attend two BCMG monthly meetings.
  • Funding – Our hours of service (VHs) are reported by AgriLife Extension Service to the state and all funding organizations with accuracy very important, esp. for funding organizations.

See the details of these clarification points on reporting hours at the Members page of our BCMG Website:

  • Report hours as soon as you can
  • Travel “time” is not volunteer time
  • No double dipping
  • Use accurate hours
  • Record hours to the nearest 1/2 hour

NOTE:  Any MG who is not going to meet their required volunteer and/or CEU hours for certification, but wants to continue their active MG status for 2020, should contact David Rodriguez early. Please provide him an explanation of your situation, and a summary of the hours you have recorded in VMS for 2019.

SIGN-UP for VOLUNTEER EVENTS using the Event Calendar in the VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – VMS.Find number of volunteers still needed, who has signed up, Project Code and even request an event reminder! REMEMBER: If you volunteer for any event and have a last minute change of plans, please contact the coordinator listed on VMS to let them know!

Seminar Assistants for Sat, Jan 18, 8:30am-12:15pm: Need two volunteers to assist Dr Stein with sign-in and handouts at his Fruit Tree Seminar at Fanick’s  Nursery. Email Denise Perez if you can help!

Volunteers Needed! Want to spark the gardening bug in a new generation of gardeners?  The Hardberger Park Children’s Vegetable Garden may be the place for you. The garden serves homeschooled children ages 5 and up. Volunteers are needed to educate children and parents on good garden practices and to assist with program set-up and garden maintenance.  
The spring session at Hardberger will run Tuesdays, Feb 25 – June 9, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Volunteer Orientation will be held Tuesday, February 18 at 10-11 am.  If you are not available on Tuesdays, you can still contribute by joining our Watering Team.
Please contact Kathy Breniman if you are interested in volunteering on Tuesdays or if you would like to join our watering team.  Also,  please feel free to recommend this program to any home-schoolers you know.  Registration opens to families on Monday, January 10at www.philhardbergerpark.org. To see Photo Collection, press here. 

Need One to Three, Dedicated & Committed, Volunteers for a New Youth Gardening Program!  
Blessed Sacrament Academy Children’s Development Center, located in the historic Mission Concepcion area, is starting a new interactive garden in hopes of supporting and rehabilitating local vulnerable families in need. Advise and assist in path and raised bed construction, irrigation installation, weeding, watering, transplanting, and general maintenance. Dates & times TBD as project still in planning phase. Please email Andrea Mastromatteo or David Rodriguez if you are interested in joining this community effort.  You can learn more about the history of Blessed Sacrament Academy online.

MGs Who Have Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!  

Volunteer NOW!  January shifts are 10am to 1pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Remember: if you volunteer for just one shift each month in 2020, you earn 36 Volunteer Hours!!  And, that covers your certification volunteer hours for the year!!  Sign up on VMS and use the Code 100.
NEW DOCENT TRAINING is scheduled for Wed, Jan 15 from 10am to Noon (plus 3 hrs homework). Sign up on VMS and email Grace Emery if you have any questions. 5 CEUs; Code 001.

Be the Master Gardener with All the Answers! Volunteer for a shift on our “Ask a Master Gardener” service. Check our website page for more information on this service. And, email Denise Perez or Nicolas Vazquez to volunteer!  

See all the Details for Classes in the Bexar County area on the MG Calendar! Classes listed below may be of special interest to you:

LUNCH & LEARN – Home Gardening Brown Bag Series: Planting Spring Vegetables on Fri, Jan 10 from Noon-1pm at the County Extension Office.  Come hear how Karen Gardner prepares her own planting medium, sows her vegetable seeds indoors—under light before putting them in the garden outside. Karen is an amazing vegetable gardener with Advanced Training in Vegetables. 1 CEU; Code 001. Bring your lunch and gain information on consumer horticulture. See the flyer for all classes offered in 2020!

Tree Buds Citizen Forester Training on Sat, Jan 11 from 8:30am to Noon pm, at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.  Come learn about tree pruning from professional arborists and support San Antonio’s tree planting initiatives.  As a Tree Buds Citizen Forester, you will volunteer 12 hrs/yr to care for recently planted young trees in parks and public spaces. Instructor: Mark Bird, Alamo Forest Partnership and the San Antonio Arborists Association. This training is FREE! Complete the application and email by Tue, Jan 7, 2020 to:  [email protected]  4 CEUs; Code 001.

Fruit Tree Basics with David Rodriguez on Sat, Jan 11, 10-11:30am at Milberger’s 3920 North Loop 1604, 78247. Free seminar. 1.5 CEUs; Code 001.

NEW CULINARY DOCENT TRAINING is scheduled for Wed, Jan 15 from 10am to Noon (plus 3 hrs homework). Sign up on VMS and email Grace Emery if you have any questions. 5 CEUs; Code 001.

Fruit Tree Basics Seminar with Dr Larry Stein on Sat, Jan 18, 9am-Noon at Fanick’s Garden Center, 1025 Holmgreen Rd, 78220. Free seminar. 3 CEUs; Code 001.
Note: There will be a 20% OFF Everything on Saturday and Sunday for extra savings!

Fruit Tree Seminar, hosted by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. You won’t want to miss this one! Everyone wants their own orchard!  Learn from the best experts in the area on Fri, Jan 24, 2020 from 8:35 am to 5:10 pm at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Flyer & Agenda here. Read the great article at AGRILIFE TODAY!  Space is limited and this class will fill up, so be sure to register early!  No registrations at the door. 7 CEUs; Code 001

LUNCH & LEARN – Home Gardening Brown Bag Series: Growing Texas Superstar Plants on Fri, Feb 14 from Noon-1pm at the County Extension Office. Come hear Lynn Cox gives her incredible presentation on Texas SuperStars. Lynn is the President of the BCMG and a Two-Time State Winner of the Texas Master Gardener Association’s MG of the Year.  1 CEU; Code 001. Bring your lunch and gain information on consumer horticulture. See the flyer for all classes offered in 2020!

EARTH-KIND® GARDEN & LANDSCAPE SERIES: Details on Flyer; Register online. Each class: 2 CEUs, Code 001

  • February 19 – TREES:  Selection, Planting, Maintenance of Shade Trees
  • March 18 – TOMATOES:  Bragging Right in Your Neighborhood
  • April 8 – TURF GRASS:  It’s More Than Just Mowing

February BCMG Monthly Meeting & Educational Seminar: Learn more all about the glories of Container Gardening with Succulents from our guest speaker MG Stephanie Jones on Thu, Feb 20, 1-3pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. 1 CEU per hr presentation; Code 002

JMG National Leader Training & 20th Anniversary Celebration, February 24-26, 2020 in College Station. Details Online. 1 CEU per hr; Code 001

2020  TEXAS MASTER GARDENER ADVANCED COURSES offered at the TMGA website.  If you are interested in attending any courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Vegetables – Feb 19-21 hosted by by Dallas County in Dallas
Plant Propagation – Apr 17-18 hosted by Tarrant County in Fort Worth
Vegetables – May 5-7 hosted by Bexar County
Texas Superstars® – May 26-28 hosted by Bexar County
Rainwater Harvesting – Sep 24-26 hosted by Tarrant County in Fort Worth
Greenhouse Management – Oct 15-17 hosted by Tarrant County in Fort Worth

Registration for the 2020 Texas Master Gardener Conference will open first thing in the New Year. The early bird rate of $225.00 will run until January 20, 2020. Please take time now to preview the sessions, workshops and tours available by perusing the Conference Website. Print the agenda and circle or write down your first and second choices; that way you will be ready to go as soon as registration opens. Pay careful attention to the times because some events overlap, and this may cause you to miss out on something in which you really want to participate. 
While details are being finalized in the registration system, book your hotel room: Hilton is almost full and Courtyard Marriott is filling up fast! Check the Lodging tab for all hotel information.  For more information, email Conference Chair Louie McDaniel or call: (254) 405-4019. SEE YOU IN WACO!!

Great Gardening Events on the BCMG Calendar.  Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently!  Here is a sampling of what is coming up:

Check Out the new and improved, mobile-friendly Garden Style San Antonio website: everything you need to create your own outdoor oasis.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!  (Can we say that in the digital world?)
Take a minute to read a new article at AGRILIFE TODAY on the Earth-Kind Fruit Tree Seminar slated for January 24th, here in San Antonio. 

Bexar County Master Gardeners is a 501(c)(3), charitable organization. As such, we are qualified to receive donations towards furthering the mission. As you plan your year-end giving, we would appreciate your consideration. Donating is easy! Either use the website (under the Donate button on the top menu) or mail your donations to the office at BCMG, 3355 Cherry Ridge St., San Antonio, TX 78230. Any amount is appreciated and thank you for your generosity.

Bexar County Master Gardeners is set up as a recipient of donations on Amazon Smile. If you have an amazon.com account and you log in instead at smile.amazon.com, you will be able to select Bexar County Master Gardeners as a charity.
The AmazonSmile Foundation contributes 0.5 percent of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice. Remember, you must be logged into smile.amazon.com—donations will not be applied to purchases made on the Amazon.com main site or mobile app.
This is a great way to help BCMG whenever you shop online at Amazon!